Vendors Vow to Resist Eviction from Harare Streets

The National Vendors Union Zimbabwe says its members will resist any political attempts to remove them from the Harare central business district, unless they are given alternative sites for selling their wares.

Reacting to calls made by some members of parliament to have street vendors removed from the city center where they have allegedly become a menace, the director of the union, Samuel Wadzayi, told VOA Studio 7 they are not happy with these remarks from people who are supposed to protect them.

The lawmakers last week raised the issue saying vendors were selling their wares in front of registered shops, a source of income for the cash-strapped government.

Wadzayi said Members of Parliament need to be reminded that there are no jobs in the country and as a result, vending has become the only source of livelihood for most people.

“It’s really unfortunate. It’s something that we don’t expect as residents of this country to represent us. We expect them to be able to appreciate the dynamics in this country. There are no jobs in this country,” said Wadzayi.